Virtual Art Research Articles

Creating Community During COVID-19: A Virtual Art Gallery to Address Social Isolation During a Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic, a public health crisis, significantly impacted millions of people around the world. "Creating Community During COVID-19" is a community-engaged virtual art gallery that explores resilience, social cohesion, and creativity during the onset of the pandemic in the United States. It aimed to address social isolation and encourage inclusion at a large public university in the early days of the pandemic. The community was invited to submit artworks that reflected how they are staying connected during the pandemic. The artworks were then qualitatively analyzed and highlighted three key themes: (1) reflecting (turning inward), (2) advocating (turning outward), and (3) engaging (coming together). This arts-based project demonstrates promise as a creative approach for promoting social cohesion and positive health and well-being, especially in times of uncertainty.

A Systematic Review of the Use of Art in Virtual Reality

Brain injuries can create life-altering challenges and have the potential to leave people with permanent disabilities. Art therapy is a popular method used for treating many of the disabilities that can accompany a brain injury. In a systematic review, an assessment of how art is being used in virtual reality (VR) was conducted, and the feasibility of brain injury patients to participate in virtual art therapy was investigated. Studies included in this review highlight the importance of artistic subject matter, sensory stimulation, and measurable performance outcomes for assessing the effect art therapy has on motor impairment in VR. Although there are limitations to using art therapy in a virtual environment, studies show that it can feasibly be used in virtual reality for neurorehabilitation purposes.

VR Health Experience: A Virtual Space for Arts and Psychomotor Therapy.

Introduction: Mental health and well-being are under pressure because of the corona pandemic. Arts and psychomotor therapists said that they had almost no experience with working online, but despite the fact that they felt incapable, they were positive towards it.Method: This qualitative action research was aimed at how arts and psychomotor therapists can become more skilled in offering online arts and psychomotor therapy and how they can methodically enlist the VR Health Experience (a virtual arts and psychomotor therapy space) in therapy. It is envisaged that the arts and psychomotor therapist could be telepresent in order to offer arts and psychomotor therapy remotely. In online training that made use of the Lean Startup Method, participants (n = 5) integrated their working knowledge with the VR Health Experience. The interventions were immediately tested by the participants and in practice. Participants were interviewed retrospectively and their experiences were thematically analysed.Results: The VR Health Experience came forward as an innovative addition to the usual arts and psychomotor therapy. Often, clients were encouraged to play and experiment, and the VR world offered several options. The VR Health Experience lowered the threshold, expanded the training areas and held a great attraction for play.Discussion: This project offered an innovative quality boost for arts and psychomotor therapy. Arts and psychomotor therapy have proven to be possible remotely via telepresence of the therapist. The therapist is present together with the client in the VR Health Experience, the virtual arts and psychomotor therapy space, where connectedness can be felt and new experiences can be gained. VR also offers further possibilities in arts and psychomotor therapy.

West Java Regional Cultural Management UPTD in Designing Virtual Art Performances During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Virtual art performances are a form of program during the pandemic by the West Java Regional Cultural Management UPTD in the use of social media on YouTube. The purpose of this study was to determine the design of the virtual art performance program starting from the initial analysis stage, the production stage to the post-production by the executor of the West Java Regional Cultural Management UPTD. This research uses qualitative research with ethnographic study of public relations. This study aims to examine the behavior of public relations (PR) communication carried out by virtual art performers in collaboration with artists to carry out virtual art performances. The results of this study indicate that there are stages of the virtual art performance program, starting from the stage of situation analysis, determining the goals and objectives of the program. The stages during production are holding virtual art performances and post-production such as editing and uploading to YouTube media. Therefore, this study uses the relevant model, namely The IPPAR (Insight, Strategic Program, Program Implementation, Action and Reputation) mode in the process of virtual art performances.

Virtual Tourism: An Imaginary Art Museum of Soekarno’s Painting Collection Series

Abstract : Purpose: This study is concerned with the challenge of how to creatively appreciate Soekarno the first president of Indonesia’s series of painting collections.
 Research methods: Based on multidisciplinary approaches it was composed of an imaginary building as well as Soekarno’s virtual art museum gallery.
 Findings: During his life, Soekarno (1901-1970) was fond of collecting numerous of masterpiece paintings and sculptures all of which beautified in six Presidential Palaces. By accommodating interest points in museum buildings and applying Jenck’s theory of postmodern architecture, a virtual or imaginary museum was created. A video depicting the artwork was uploaded on YouTube channel, which serves as Soekarno’s legacy.
 Implications: Because it is presented in cyber space, it can be easily accessed, and to be a virtual tourism.

Integration of virtual and augmented reality into art

The purpose of the article is to explore the transformation of artistic practices under the influence of virtual and augmented reality. The methodology is based on the application of the dialectical method, which allows to reveal the specifics of virtual / augmented / mixed realities through the prism of the dialectic of interaction between technology and man. The scientific novelty of the results is the analysis of the essence of the transformation of artistic practices under the influence of virtual and augmented reality, in particular, introduced into scientific circulation data on art projects using innovative technologies of augmented and mixed reality as a clear example of integration of the latter into art. Transboundary is considered from two points of view - the convergence of art and its reconstruction. It is stated that the implementation of projects using AR and VR technology is currently impossible without the appropriate logistics and computer technology skills. The indirectness of translation and perception of cultural experience by digital devices that determine a new technological format of personality inculturation is considered. Conclusions. These changes affect all spheres of society, erasing the spatio-temporal boundaries and involving people in an interactive creative process. Art responds most dynamically and reflects all changes in society, and modern cultural institutions are forced to take into account these trends and on this basis to form strategies for development and interaction with various stakeholders based on the use of virtual (VR), augmented (AR) reality. The difference between virtual art and other forms of art using computer technology is that its basis is not representation, but communication. Thus, numerous creative projects, implemented with the help of augmented and mixed reality, demonstrate the active use of technology in art, in the process of creating a movie, virtual exhibitions, etc.

Dreamlike Environments: “Story-living” in Virtual Reality Installations

This article examines the narrative identity of a new emerging medium, the virtual reality installation. In order to do so, the representation of dream states often presented in virtual art will be considered as a metareflexive model to be analysed in order to comprehend the distinctive characteristics of this experience. From this point of view, the study distinguishes virtual from physical art installations, the experience of which has been compared by Claire Bishop to the process of de-codification of dreams, focusing on the concept of incorporation. Accordingly, this incorporated experience of immersive images will be considered in relation to contemporary dream theory, formulated in the fields of neuroscience and philosophy of mind. At the same time, a second focus will be devoted to the use of the dream metaphor in new media art dealing with media archaeology and in particular in the interactive artwork Beyond (1997). In conclusion, the analysis of two contemporary virtual reality installations metariflexively dealing with dream experience, Somnai (2018) and The Key (2019) will lead to the individuation of a common experiential model: storyliving instead of storytelling.

“I didn't know I have the capacity to be creative”: children's experiences of how creativity promoted their sense of well-being. A pilot randomised controlled study in school arts therapies

ObjectivesCreativity has been found to be one of the key therapeutic elements in arts therapies. Arts therapies are psychotherapeutic approaches that aim to facilitate psychological change and personal growth through arts media, such as music, drama, dance, movement and virtual arts. This article presents the findings from children's experiences of participating in arts therapies, particularly those related to creativity. Study designThis study followed a pilot randomised controlled design with embedded qualitative and arts-based methods. Sixty-two children with mild emotional and behavioural difficulties were recruited across four primary schools in North West England. ResultsThe creative activities with the greatest impact on children's health and well-being were as follows: a) story-making and story-telling; b) drawings; c) puppetry; d) songwriting; and e) empowerment activities. Based on the interviews with children, these activities led to emotional expression, group bonding, empowerment and optimism. The findings were discussed through the lenses of the empowerment theory and the PERMA theory of positive psychology. ConclusionsArts therapies allowed children to share experiences and emotions that they may not have otherwise expressed merely through verbal means. During a period where COVID-19 has disrupted academic schedules and sparked a transitional period at schools, opportunities for creativity and engagement with the arts may contribute significantly to support children's emerging health needs.

Instagram as a virtual art display for medical students.

Implication StatementWe require our medical students to create art as part of a core course. Projects have historically been displayed at our health sciences library. During a rapid adjustment to virtual teaching at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, using Instagram to hold a virtual art show was a quickly implemented alternative. With student consent, course directors posted different artwork every weekday for eight weeks to a course account. By capitalizing on the visual strengths and extensive reach of the Instagram platform, we promoted our medical students’ talents both locally and nationally. We plan to use Instagram and in-person displays in the future.Énoncé des implications de la rechercheDans un de leurs cours du tronc commun, nos étudiants en médecine sont amenés à faire de l’art. Avant la pandémie de la COVID-19, leurs projets étaient exposés à la bibliothèque des sciences de la santé. La solution de rechange trouvée dans le cadre d’une adaptation rapide à l’enseignement virtuel au début de la pandémie a été d’utiliser Instagram pour exposer virtuellement les œuvres. Avec le consentement des étudiants, les responsables de cours ont publié des œuvres différentes tous les jours pendant huit semaines sur un compte Instagram créé pour le cours. Tirant parti des atouts visuels et de la vaste portée de la plateforme, nous avons pu promouvoir les talents de nos étudiants en médecine tant au niveau local qu’au niveau national. À l’avenir, nous comptons combiner les expositions physiques et Instagram.

The influence of modern trends in digital art on the content of training in computer graphics and digital design

The development of digital technologies leads to a variety of pictorial arts. With the advent of computer technology and communication technologies, areas such as computer graphics, computer and digital design, and phenomena such as digital art have emerged. The article analyzes these concepts, which provided an opportunity for further study. Based on the analysis of Internet resources on digital art, the following main trends are identified: virtual art, 3D printing, open source software, art of artificial intelligence, a combination of 2D animation and modern technologies, 3D painting, UX / UI design, game design, concept art and character design. Examples of reflection these tendencies in modern art are given. Given the selected trends, it is shown how they affect the content of training in computer graphics and digital design for students of the educational program "Digital Design" (list of compulsory and optional educational components, the content of educational practice). It is noted that to successfully work with computer graphics, students need to master traditional knowledge of pictorial arts (the concept of composition, color, perspective, proportions, shadows) and the ability to use them to create digital products using computer programs (2D graphic editors and 3D graphics) and digital technology (graphics tablet, personal and personal computer, projection equipment, camera, devices for VR and AR reality, scanner and printer, including 3D scanner and 3D printer).

A Study of Anecdotal Student Response to Virtual Art Museums in Online History Courses

This anecdotal pilot case study of practice addresses the question: How can technology be used to make online history courses more engaging with museums? Findings from this case study suggest that virtual art museums via the Google Cultural Institute (now Google Arts & Culture) were an effective way to encourage students to do more than the minimum required for the online forum response assignment in a survey (100-level) history course at a community college in the northwest United States. The instructor designed an assignment that was posted in the learning management system as a PDF. Implications for practice are that online instructors of history, as well as online instructors of humanities, can assign virtual art museum visits with an online discussion component to encourage student engagement centered on course content.

Playfulness, Realism and Authenticity in Cultural Presence: A Case Study of Virtual Heritage Players

The intersection of virtual reality (VR) and cultural heritage, also described as Virtual Heritage (VH), is an example of a disciplinary ‘cross-fertilization’ between arts and technologies (Roussou, 2007: 225). Technological advances in communication systems have accelerated the advent of new aesthetic experiences. Digital technology has created a novel perceptual dimension for the viewers of VH that Erik Champion calls cultural presence (2006). The idea of immersive art goes back to the classical world, and it now reappears in the immersion strategies of today’s virtual art (Grau, 2003: 25). In order to investigate the aesthetic effects of cultural presence for the player in VH, this research takes 神游敦煌 (Shenyou Dunhuang) 2018, a popular VH project from HTC Steam VR platform as a case study. The 敦煌莫高窟 (Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes) were included in the ‘World Cultural Heritage’ list by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as representative achievements of Buddhist art in ancient China. This research draws on data elicited through focus group discussion after the group’s members had experienced the VH. The researcher organised a group of participants playing Shenyou Dunhuang to discuss their aesthetic experience. The discussion text was encoded via Nvivo software. The aesthetic experience of the participants is examined and discussed through the frame of three sub-concepts: playfulness, realism and authenticity. In so doing this research discusses how the ambivalence of immersion and distance in art reception influences players’ cultural presence in VH.

UK Kidney Week 2020 holds its first virtual art exhibition

Lisa Ancliffe, a member of the British Renal Society Rehab Network, updates on a virtual art exhibition for people living with chronic kidney disease

Virtual Art and Non-fungible Tokens

Fueled in part by the wealth recently created from digital currencies, major art dealers such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s have embraced the sale of non-fungible tokens attached to unique digital works of art. What are non-fungible tokens, how is this related to the blockchain and what do we know about this ancient market for digital art? It now appears that digital art can be added to the growing list of uses for blockchain technology now becoming a part of modern life. This article proceeds in seven parts. First, is a discussion about the new and explosive market for digital art. Second, I explore the evolution of the digital world and virtual property. Third, is an explanation and historical account of the blockchain and virtual currencies. Fourth, non-fungible tokens are discussed. Fifth, is a brief look at unresolved issues impacting the law of NFTs and potential solutions are provided. Sixth, a few thoughts about the future of digital property are presented. And last, I conclude. This dramatic extension of blockchain and other digital technology to the world of art and music represents a new and exciting platform for creative expression. This paper is a valuable addition to the literature by providing a readable introduction and overview of what is now known about the likely impact of blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens to music and art. This important development should have a significant impact on the future of innovation and property law.

Virtual reality art as an innovative Buddhist learning tool

Virtual reality art as an innovative Buddhist learning tool

Art Product Design and VR User Experience Based on IoT Technology and Visualization System

Based on the Internet of Things technology, this paper analyzes the concept and basic characteristics of visualization technology and builds a visualization digital art product information system based on VRML virtual reality technology. This article first explains the background and significance, analyzes the research status at home and abroad, introduces the application of virtual realization technology, and puts forward the technical route and main research content on this basis. After field inspection of art products, the system was analyzed according to the actual situation. After analyzing the needs and goals of the system, the overall structure of the system was proposed. Under the overall framework, this paper designs the system and designs the system’s visualization and real‐time interaction modules. At the same time, combined with VRML technology to realize the visual 3D modeling of virtual art products, we establish the 3D model of the entire art product. Users can choose between role roaming and camera roaming. Finally, we made a summary statement to the full text and looked forward to the application prospects and development trends of information visualization technology in digital art products. During the experiment, by calling the HTC method in the Unity 3D system, this article uses the Unity 3D engine to implement UI scene loading and VR rendering technology optimization and realizes design knowledge through the integration of art product design models and IoT data interactive functions and dynamic loading of scenes. The effect of the model on the quality prediction is analyzed through experiments. The results show that the performance of the former is better than the latter two models, and it has a good performance on unbalanced data processing, which verifies the performance and effectiveness of the algorithm model.

Outcomes of Visual Self-Expression in Virtual Reality on Psychosocial Well-Being With the Inclusion of a Fragrance Stimulus: A Pilot Mixed-Methods Study.

AimsIn this pilot mixed-methods study, we examined the participants experiences of engaging in virtual drawing tasks and the impact of an olfactory stimulus (calming fragrance blend) on outcomes of affect, stress, self-efficacy, anxiety, creative agency, and well-being (satisfaction with life).MethodsThis study used a parallel mixed-methods, simple block randomization design. The study participants included 24 healthy adults aged 18 to 54 years, including 18 women and six men. The participants completed two 1-h immersive virtual art making sessions and were randomly assigned to receive either a fragrance or a non-fragrance condition for the first session. Quantitative (standardized self-report measures) and qualitative (open-ended survey responses and virtual artwork) datasets were collected concurrently and integrated during data analysis.ResultsThe quantitative results indicated that the fragrance condition demonstrated a significant reduction in negative affect (e.g., feeling hostile, jittery, upset, distressed, etc.), namely, reduced feelings of negativity when compared to the non-fragrance condition. A trend toward improvement in self-efficacy was also seen in the fragrance condition. No significant changes were found for fragrance or non-fragrance conditions for positive affect, anxiety, and creative agency. The qualitative findings included five themes related to art making experiences in virtual reality in both conditions: fun and joy; novelty of virtual media, experimentation, and play; relaxation and calm; learning curve; and physical discomfort and disorientation. Four themes were identified for virtual art content and visual qualities: nature imagery, references to memories and personal symbols, fantasy and play within imagery, and depiction of everyday objects.ConclusionsOverall, the participants reported positive responses to the novel virtual art making experiences which were further heightened by the inclusion of the fragrance stimulus for negative affect. These preliminary findings need to be replicated with larger sample sizes to confirm the outcomes and the trends that were seen in this pilot study. Further research is recommended to examine the differences between experiences of virtual and traditional art media and to examine different olfactory stimuli promoting focus and concentration.

Virtual Art Exhibition

This virtual art exhibition showcases artwork from twenty two artists/artist scholars, and is featured in this special issue entitled, Learning and Teaching Artful Narratives of Transformation of the Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education ( a first for this journal This exhibit is meant to complement and further discussions on the textured, colourful multi layered and complex theme of learning, teaching and transformation, defined broadly. We would like to thank everyone who submitted artwork for consideration and our external jurors for their time and expertise As well, we are grateful to the CJSAE editorial team for supporting this creative endeavour Finally, we would like to extend our congratulations to our contributing artists/artist scholars and thank them for sharing their wonderful art creations with us We hope you enjoy the exhibit and thank you in advance for viewing! Kathy and Carole

COVID-19 pandemic: Early effects on pediatric rehabilitation medicine training.

The COVID-19 pandemic hastened the need for graduate medical education (GME) innovation, resulting in the creation of multiple pediatric rehabilitation medicine (PRM) e-learning initiatives. There has been a paucity of data regarding trainee perceptions regarding quickly developed new methods of learning during the pandemic. This study explored PRM trainee perceptions of e-learning and effects of the pandemic on education. Questionnaire study with data collected via REDCap. Greater than half of PRM trainees (56.6%, 30/53) responded. Most respondents reported that the virtual lectures series (79.3%), journal club (78.9%), and virtual arts initiatives (75.0%) were valuable to their education. Common benefits noted included access to subject experts, networking, lecture recording, and location flexibility. Common concerns included lack of protected time, virtual platform fatigue, and decreased engagement. Most respondents were not redeployed. Relative to before the pandemic, less satisfaction with clinical education (70.0%) and greater satisfaction with non-clinical education (60.0%) was reported. The majority of graduating trainees felt positively (83.3%) and 16.7% were neutral regarding confidence to graduate. Trainees perceived national e-learning as valuable to their education, especially due to the access to expert leaders around the nation. Future work should explore ways to overcome barriers and optimize benefits of GME and PRM e-learning.

Accessible Virtual Arts Recreation for Wellbeing Promotion in Long-Term Care Residents.

The efficacy of a technology-driven visual arts recreation activity, delivered virtually, was evaluated for its potential to achieve positive impacts, similar to traditional arts-interventions, on wellbeing in long-term care residents. Thirty-one residents (average age 86.8 years; SD = 9.4) engaged with the arts-intervention for 30-minutes, twice weekly, for 6 weeks with either a partner or as part of a group. Wellbeing indicators included self-reported psychological and health-related wellness, and attention capacity. Binomial tests of postintervention change revealed a significant above-chance probability of improvement in one or more wellbeing indicators (p < .05). Postparticipation feedback survey scores were positive (p < .05). Cognitive status did not influence outcome; however, other participant characteristics such as younger age, higher openness-to-experience (personality trait), and lower baseline mood were significantly associated with positive response to the intervention (p < .05). Findings demonstrate technology may be an effective platform for promoting accessibility to beneficial arts-interventions for older adults.